Arab Leader Disputes Police Account of Fatal Shooting, Demands Independent Probe

Yousef Jabareen, head of the Joint List, stated from the mourning house of Alaa Mahamid, a young Arab man killed in Umm al-Fahm, that evidence held by the family contradicts the police's narrative. Jabareen asserted that Mahamid posed no threat to officers and could have been arrested without lethal force.

According to Jabareen, eyewitnesses told the family that police officers attempted to conceal evidence and discussed fabricating a story claiming Mahamid tried to steal an officer's weapon to cover up the shooting. Jabareen called for an independent investigation, separate from the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash), which he accused of repeatedly shielding officers instead of holding them accountable.

Jabareen linked the incident to what he described as a racist climate and ongoing incitement against Arab citizens, led by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his police force. He argued this incitement encourages the easy use of lethal force and extrajudicial killings, citing the recent shooting as an example.

He also mentioned recent police assaults at two weddings in Umm al-Fahm, stating that the current incident is an execution in broad daylight. Jabareen concluded by emphasizing that Arab lives are not cheap and demanding accountability for those responsible, including the arresting officer and anyone involved in a cover-up.